Passenger conveyor warning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A moving walkway having one type of support throughout the major extent of the walkway and a different type of support producing a different riding sensation in those areas where the attention of the passengers is desired. Special disposition of supporting rollers for passenger carrying belts or a special track configuration for pallet type walkways produce changes in walkway movement which can be felt by the passengers and cause them to direct their attention to the walkway on which they are riding at exit portions and other positions where they should be alert to the conditions around them.

APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Ernest D. Johnson, 486 Narragansett Drive, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278 [22] Filed: April 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 32,703

[52] US. Cl ..198/16, 104/25 [51] Int. Cl. ,.B66b 9/12 [58] Field of Search....l98/l6, 17, 18, 165, 129, 184; a 271/89; 104/18, 25, 28

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,422,947 l/1969 Kraft ..104/25 2,796,971 6/ 1957 Borrowdale ..l98/ 165 625,905 5/1899 Souder ..198/17 1,090,473 3/1914 Smith ..271/89 2,804,191 8/1957 King, ..104/25 United States Patent 1151 3,685,635 Johnson [451 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] PASSENGER CONVEYOR WARNING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,083,536 9/1967' Great Britain ..l98/l84 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter AttorneyF. W. Brunner and Oberlin, Maky, Donnelly & Renner [57] ABSTRACT A moving walkway having one type of support throughout the major extent of the walkway and a different type of support producing a different riding sensation in those areas where the attention of the passengers is desired. Special disposition of supporting rollers for passenger carrying belts or a special track configuration for pallet type walkways produce changes in walkway movement which can be felt by the passengers and cause them to direct their attention to the walkway on which they are riding at exit portions and other positions where they should be alert to the conditions around them.

3 Clains, 6 Drawing Figures PASSENGER CONVEYOR WARNING APPARATUS This invention relates generally as indicated to a warning apparatus for a passenger conveyor to warn a passenger carried on a moving walkway that he is approaching an exit landing and needs to step off the moving walkway. This warning apparatus may also be installed at other positions along a moving walkway to alert the passenger to take appropriate action for his safety and the safety of others.

It has been the common practice to give warnings to passengers traveling in vehicles or on moving walkways through visual or auditory signals such as flashing lights and horns or bells. The auditory signals cannot be heard by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and are often ignored by persons with good hearing because of other distractions. The visual signals such as flashing lights and signs are also not effective unless the passenger is facing in the right direction and can see the signals.

As moving walkways have become longer and provide a smoother ride the passengers have sometimes turned from the direction in which the conveyor is moving to talk with other passengers. This has presented a serious safety problem in that unless a passenger turns facing in the direction in which the walkway is traveling before he reaches the exit end there is a danger that he may be'unable to keep his balance at this transition point and may fall and sustain an injury. It is, therefore, imperative that all passengers being carried by a moving walkway receive a definite signal so that they do turn in the proper direction at the exit end of the walkway to step off onto the stationary landing platform.

With the foregoing in mind it is the principal object of this invention to provide a warning apparatus which will transmit a definite signal to the passengers being carried by a moving walkway.

Another object is to provide a warning apparatus which is directly connected with the moving walkway and will direct the attention of the passengers to the walkway.

A further object is to provide walkway supporting means in the area of the walkway where a warning is desired which will transmit a different riding sensation to the passenger through the walkway causing his attention to be directed to the walkway.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a warning apparatus which is not dependent upon accessory equipment and will operate as long as the walkway is operable.

These and other objects of the present invention may be achieved by using a special supporting mechanism in the warning area which imparts a different motion to the walkway from that provided by the supporting apparatus for the rest of the walkway. With a belt type conveyor the disposition of the supporting rollers and the type of rollers can be utilized to provide a vibration of the pallets to alert the passengers riding thereon To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative,

however, of but one of the various ways in which the FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a typical modern passenger conveyor system incorporating the preferred form of warning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken along the plane of line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing only the trim plates, belt and supporting rollers of this conveyor system.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 of a belt type walkway embodying the invention in which all of the rollers are full length.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic view in perspective'of a platen type walkway embodying the invention, parts being broken away.

Referring to FIG. 1, a passenger conveyor system 1 is shown which incorporates a moving walkway such as endless conveyor belt 2 which may be of the type having transverse reinforced members providing a stiff supporting surface in the transverse direction and flexibility in the longitudinal direction. The conveyor system 1 has a first idler pulley 3, a second idler pulley 4, a drive pulley 5 and tensionapplying pulleys 6 and 7 around which the belt 2 passes in a lower run 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the passenger conveyor system 1 is horizontal with an entrance area 11, a main walkway area 12 and an exit area 13. It is understood that even though the invention is shown with a horizontal conveyor system, it is also effective when used on an inclined walkway.

The treadway surface of the belt 2 preferably has longitudinal ribs 14 and grooves 15 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The conveyor belt 2 has an upper run 17 for conveying passengers and has an entrance portion 18, a main walkway portion 19 and an exit portion 20 with the conveyor belt moving in the counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1.

It is understood that this conveyor system may be reversed by rotating the drive pulley 5 in a clockwise direction in which case the entrance area 11 would be like the exit area 13. Adjacent the ends of the conveyor belt 2 at the entrance area 11 and exit area 13 are stationary platforms 21 and 22 from which the passengers step onto the the entrance portion 18 and onto which the passengers step from the exit portion 20 of the conveyor belt. Floating comb assemblies 23 and 24 may be located between the stationary platforms 21 and 22 and the belt 2 with teeth intermeshing with ribs 14 and grooves 15 of the treadway surface of the belt.

Balustrades 25 are provided on each side of the conveyor belt 2 for carrying handrails and have trim plates 26 which overlap the edges of the belt along the length of the balustrade. It is to be noted that a passenger walking onto the conveyor belt 2 from the stationary platform 22 will be facing in the direction in which the conveyor is moving and will have his attention directed to the moving belt at the time he enters the conveyor system. During the trip on the main walkway portion 19 no activity is required of the passenger other than to stand still and hold onto the handrail and during this period of time it is possible for the passenger to turn around and face another direction. This can be dangerous because a passenger in the exit area 13 of the conveyor system 1 should be facing in the direction the belt 2 is moving in order to be in position to step onto the stationary platform 21.

The warning apparatus of this invention is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 in which the first supporting means for the belt 2 are edge rollers 27 mounted on the supporting framework of the conveyor system 1 for engagement with the edges 28 of the transversely rigid belt 2. These edge rollers 27 may have a diameter of 2 yinches and are mounted at positions spaced apart approximately 7 inches along the main walkway area 12 of the conveyor system for engagement with the main walkway portion 19 of the belt 2. The trim plates 26 overhang the rollers 27 and therefore passengers do not ride on the portion of the belt which passes over the edge rollers 27. This provides a smooth riding sensation to the passengers in this main walkway area 12. It is contemplated that in some applications a slider plate may be installed to support the portion of the belt 2 between the edges 28.

In the warning section of the passenger conveying system, which in this case is at the exit area 13, closely spaced, transverse full-length rollers 29 are mounted on the supporting frame of the conveyor system 1 in engagement with the belt 2 across the entire width of the belt so that a passenger riding on the belt will feel the motion of the belt passing over the rollers. This warning motion or second form of motion imparted by the fulllength rollers 29 or second supporting means is substantially different from the smooth ride provided the passengers in the main walkway portion 19 of the belt where the first supporting means or edge rollers 27 provide a smooth ride. The warning motion of the exit portion 20 of the belt 2 is preferably a low amplitude, medium frequency vibration which will be felt by all passengers standing on the conveyor in the exit area 13 of the conveyor system 1. In the example shown, the fullfull-length rollers 29 have a diameter of approximately 2 Ainches and are spaced apart at intervals of approximately 4 inches. Preferably the rollers 29 of the warning apparatus are located in the last 4 feet of the treadway surface to alert the passengers to the need for them to step off the end of the walkway onto the stationary platform 21. The walkway belt 2 is normally driven at a speed of approximately 120 feet per minute.

A modification of the invention is shown in FIG. wherein the belt 2' is transversely flexible and the main walkway portion 19 of the belt is supported by fulllength rollers 30 which extend transversely across the full width of the belt. These rollers 30 as shown in the embodiment are approximately 2 Ainches in diameter and are spaced apart at intervals of approximately 2 inches in the main walkway area 12 of the conveyor system so that the passengers have a relatively smooth ride on the main walkway portion 19' of the belt 2'. In the exit area 13' of the conveyor system 1 the full length rollers 30 are spaced apart a greater distance such as at intervals of 4 inches to provide a warning motion substantially different from the ride provided in the main walkway area 19.

Another modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 6 which illustrates a pallet type conveyor system having hinged plates or pallets 33 with rollers 34 mounted on the pallets for rolling engagement with rails 35. Although only one of the rails 35 is shown in the drawings, it is understood that this conveyor system has another parallel rail for supporting engagement with rollers mounted on the other ends of the hinged pallets 33. Each of the rails 35 has a supporting flange 36 on which the rollers 34 travel and this flange normally has a smooth surface in the main walkway area 12". The portion of the pallet type conveyor shown in FIG. 6 is in a warning section such as an exit area 13" where the passengers must step off onto a stationary platform. lrregularities such as raised portions 37 have been provided along the supporting flange 36 at spaced-apart positions to lift the rollers 34 and the pallets 33 and therefore provide a low amplitude, medium frequency vibration of the pallet walkway on which the passengers are being carried. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the raised portions 37 in FIG. 6 are shown in a larger size since it would only be necessary to provide ridges of l/ 16 inch spaced apart every 3 inches to create the vibration necessary to alert the passengers to prepare to step off the pallet type conveyor. The pallets 33 are preferably driven over the rails 35 at a speed of approximately 120 feet per minute.

From the foregoing it can now be seen that the warning apparatus of this invention provides a positive signal to all passengers even though they cannot see or hear. This warning apparatus can be readily installed on different types of passenger conveyor systems. It is particularly effective in the exit areas of passenger conveyors where it is desirable to alert the passengers to turn in the direction the walkway is moving so that they can step off the walkway easily and safely.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invent1on.

I, therefore, particularly point out and claim as my invention:

1. In a passenger conveyor a moving walkway for carrying passengers, said walkway comprising a transversely rigid belt having an upper run for carrying passengers from the entrance end to the exit end of the conveyor and a lower run for returning the walkway from the exit end to the entrance end, edge rollers in engagement with said belt at the edges beneath said upper run to cause one form of motion of said walkway and full-length rollers extending beneath and across a portion of said upper run of the walkway and engaging said belt at positions between said edges to cause movement of the belt upward over said full-length rollers to transmit a second form of motion as the passengers are carried over said portion of said walkway for directing the attention of the passengers on said portion to the operation of said walkway and thereby provide a safety warning.

2. The moving walkway of claim 1 wherein said belt has a main passenger carrying portion and an exit portion with said edge rollers of said first supporting means being located under said main portion and said fulllength rollers of said second supporting means being located under said exit portion of said belt.

3. In a passenger conveyor a moving walkway for carrying passengers, said walkway having an upper run for carrying passengers from the entrance end to the beneath a portion of said upper run comprising rails with spaced-apart irregularities for interrupting the even rolling of said rollers and causing a vibrating movement of said pallets for directing the attention of passengers on said portion'to the operation of said walkway and thereby provide a safety warning.

po-voso Patent No. 3, 5, 35 heeee August 22, 1972 Inventox-(a) Ernest D Johnson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In th ie ehd please add the following:

' --(73) Assignee: The Goodyear Tire a Rubber Company Akron Ohio I a corporation of OhiO--o Column 1, line 57, after "provide" insert "this effect. with a pallet izype of conveyor a change in the configuration of the rails eh whioh the pallets 5011 Can be utilized to I provide-w Column 3, line 39, delete first "full-"5 after "len th" iheert --I'igid-e Signed and sealed this ZZndday of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M'FLETCHERJR" Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. In a passenger conveyor a moving walkway for carrying passengers, said walkway comprising a transversely rigid belt having an upper run for carrying passengers from the entrance end to the exit end of the conveyor and a lower run for returning the walkway from the exit end to the entrance end, edge rollers in engagement with said belt at the edges beneath said upper run to cause one form of motion of said walkway and full-length rollers extending beneath and across a portion of said upper run of the walkway and engaging said belt at positions between said edges to cause movement of the belt upward over said full-length rollers to transmit a second form of motion as the passengers are carried over said portion of said walkway for directing the attention of the passengers on said portion to the operation of said walkway and thereby provide a safety warning.
 2. The moving walkway of claim 1 wherein said belt has a main passenger carrying portion and an exit portion with said edge rollers of said first supporting means being located under said main portion and said full-length rollers of said second supporting means being located under said exit portion of said belt.
 3. In a passenger conveyor a moving walkway for carrying passengers, said walkway having an upper run for carrying passengers from the entrance end to the exit end of the conveyor and a lower run for returning the walkway from the exit end to the entrance end, said walkway comprising a series of pallets connected by hinge means and having rollers mounted thereon, first supporting means comprising smooth rails on which said rollers travel to cause one form of motion of said pallets and second supporting means extending beneath a portion of said upper run comprising rails with spaced-apart irregularities for interrupting the even rolling of said rollers and causing a vibrating movement of said pallets for directing the attention of passengers on said portion to the operation of said walkway and thereby provide a safety warning. 